The Psychological Inflexibility in Pain Scale (PIPS) - validation, factor structure and comparison to the Chronic Pain Acceptance Questionnaire (CPAQ) and other validated measures in German chronic back pain patients

A Network Analysis of the Fear Avoidance Model of Genital Pain

Using a novel data-driven network approach, this study aimed to examine the interconnection between the key elements of the Fear-Avoidance Model of female genital pain - sexual arousal, fear-avoidant cognitions, and motivational coping - and its associated factors to predict the intensity and frequency of genital pain across women over time. Network modeling allowed for a comprehensive evaluation of the Fear-Avoidance model while capturing the dynamic features of genital pain. We estimated a cross-sectional and a temporal, contemporaneous, and between-persons network model on convenience-based data of 543 female students (mean age = 23.7 years, SD = 3.6) collected at three time points. Results showed that lubrication, pain catastrophizing, pain avoidance, fear-avoidance beliefs, sexual satisfaction, anxiety, and frequency of coital and non-coital sex predicted pain, with lubrication being the most consistent predictor across estimations. The network of women with recurrent genital pain showed a similar pattern as the network of the total sample, except that pain avoidance and fear-avoidance beliefs rather than pain catastrophizing predicted pain directly, and frequency of coital and non-coital sexual activities played a more prominent role. These results suggest that the main problem of genital pain centers around women not being sufficiently aroused during intercourse and inadequate ways of pain coping, which are critical targets of cognitive-behavioral therapy treatment and should be developed further.

EFFects of Exposure and Cognitive behavioral Therapy for chronic BACK pain ("EFFECT-BACK"): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

INTRODUCTION

Chronic back pain is a widespread medical condition associated with high socioeconomic costs and increasing prevalence. Despite the advanced implementation of multidisciplinary approaches, providing a satisfactory treatment offer for those affected is often not possible. Exposure therapy (EXP) promises to be an effective and economical form of treatment and in a previous pilot study showed to be superior to cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in reducing perceived limitations of movement. The current study aims to further compare the efficacy of both treatment methods and identify those patient groups that particularly benefit from EXP.

METHODS

The general objective of this randomized multicenter clinical trial (targeted N = 380) is to improve and expand the range of treatments available to patients with chronic back pain. As the primary objective of the study, two different psychological treatments (EXP and CBT) will be compared. The primary outcome measure is a clinically significant improvement in pain-related impairment, measured by the QPBDS, from baseline to 6-month follow-up. Secondary outcome measures are absolute changes and clinically significant improvements in variables coping, psychological flexibility, depressiveness, catastrophizing, exercise avoidance and fear of exercise, and intensity of pain. Participants are recruited in five psychological and medical centers in Germany and receive ten sessions of manualized therapy by trained licensed CBT therapists or clinical psychologists, who are currently in their post-gradual CBT training. Potential predictors of each treatment's efficacy will be explored with a focus on avoidance and coping behavior.

CONCLUSION

This study will be the first RCT to compare CBT and EXP in chronic back pain in a large sample, including patients from different care structures due to psychological and medical recruitment centers. By identifying and exploring potential predictors of symptom improvement in each treatment group, this study will contribute to enable a more individualized assignment to treatment modalities and thus improves the care situation for chronic back pain and helps to create a customized treatment program for subgroups of pain patients. If our findings confirm EXP to be an efficacious and efficient treatment concept, it should gain more attention and be further disseminated.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05294081. Registered on 02 March 2022.

Benefits, Recruitment, Dropout, and Acceptability of the Strength Back Digital Health Intervention for Patients Undergoing Spinal Surgery: Nonrandomized, Qualitative, and Quantitative Pilot Feasibility Study

BACKGROUND

Patients undergoing spinal surgery report high levels of insecurity, pain, stress, and anxiety before and after surgery. Unfortunately, there is no guarantee that surgery will resolve all issues; postsurgical recovery often entails moderate to severe postoperative pain, and some patients undergoing spinal surgery do not experience (long-term) pain relief after surgery. Therefore, focusing on sustainable coping skills and resilience is crucial for these patients. A digital health intervention based on acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and positive psychology (PP) was developed to enhance psychological flexibility and well-being and reduce postsurgical pain.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was 3-fold: to explore the potential benefits for patients undergoing spinal surgery of the digital ACT and PP intervention Strength Back (research question [RQ] 1), explore the feasibility of a future randomized controlled trial in terms of recruitment and dropout (RQ 2), and assess the acceptability of Strength Back by patients undergoing spinal surgery (RQ 3).

METHODS

We used a nonrandomized experimental design with an intervention group (n=17) and a control group (n=20). To explore the potential benefits of the intervention, participants in both groups filled out questionnaires before and after surgery. These questionnaires included measurements of pain intensity (Numeric Pain Rating Scale), pain interference (Multidimensional Pain Inventory), anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), valued living (Engaged Living Scale), psychological flexibility (Psychological Inflexibility in Pain Scale), and mental well-being (Mental Health Continuum-Short Form). Semistructured interviews combined with log data and scores on the Twente Engagement With eHealth Technologies Scale were used to assess the acceptability of the intervention.

RESULTS

A significant improvement over time in emotional (V=99; P=.03) and overall (V=55; P=.004) well-being (Mental Health Continuum-Short Form) was observed only in the intervention group. In addition, the intervention group showed a significantly larger decline in pain intensity (Numeric Pain Rating Scale) than did the control group (U=75; P=.003). Of the available weekly modules on average 80% (12/15) was completed by patients undergoing spinal fusion and 67% (6/9) was completed by patients undergoing decompression surgery. A total of 68% (17/25) of the participants used the intervention until the final interview. Most participants (15/17, 88%) in the intervention group would recommend the intervention to future patients.

CONCLUSIONS

This pilot feasibility study showed that combining ACT and PP in a digital health intervention is promising for patients undergoing spinal surgery as the content was accepted by most of the participants and (larger) improvements in pain intensity and well-being were observed in the intervention group. A digital intervention for patients undergoing (spinal) surgery can use teachable moments, when patients are open to learning more about the surgery and rehabilitation afterward. A larger randomized controlled trial is now warranted.

Associations Between Adult Attachment, Pain Catastrophizing, Psychological Inflexibility and Disability in Adults with Chronic Pain

We investigated whether attachment insecurity (anxiety and avoidance) moderated the association between satisfaction with social support and pain disability. We also tested whether the relationship between insecure attachment and pain disability was serially mediated by pain catastrophising and psychological inflexibility. A large-scale cross-sectional correlational design was employed. Data were collected using an online survey. Correlation, serial mediation and moderated regression analyses were used. Data from 894 people with self-reported chronic pain were analysed. Based on correlations, age, depression, and pain intensity were included as covariates. No direct effect of satisfaction with social support on pain disability was observed in the moderation. Attachment anxiety was positively associated with pain disability (b = 1.20, t = 2.03, p < .05), but attachment avoidance was not (b = -0.08, t = -0.13, p = .90). The association between attachment anxiety and pain disability was partially mediated by pain catastrophising and psychological inflexibility (c = 1.21, t = 4.37, p < .001; a1db2 = 0.33, t = 5.15, p < .001). The relationship between attachment avoidance and pain disability was fully mediated by pain catastrophising and psychological inflexibility (c = 0.15, t = 0.54, p = .59; a1db2 = 0.13, t = 2.24, p < .05). This study provided initial evidence that pain catastrophising and psychological inflexibility mediate the association between insecure attachment and pain disability. Follow-up research using a longitudinal design is recommended.

Sustainability of cognitive behavioural interventions for chronic back pain: A long-term follow-up

BACKGROUND

There is a significant research gap with respect to the long-term sustainability of psychological treatment effects in chronic pain patients. This study aimed to investigate long-term treatment effects of two psychological treatments: cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) as a broad-spectrum approach and exposure as a specific intervention for fear-avoidant pain patients.

METHODS

Patients with chronic low back pain were randomized to CBT or exposure in vivo. Long-term follow-up (LTFU) data were available for 64 patients up to 8 years after treatment, with a response rate of 73%. The primary outcomes were pain-related disability and pain intensity and secondary outcomes were emotional distress, psychological flexibility, catastrophizing and pain-related fear. The data analysis was performed with longitudinal multilevel modelling.

RESULTS

Multilevel analyses showed improvements in all primary outcomes as well as all secondary outcomes from pre-treatment to LTFU for both treatments. The mean proportion of cases meeting reliable and clinical improved criteria in all primary outcome was 36% (range: 22%-46%) in the exposure group and 50% (range: 33%-60%) in the CBT group. Dropout analyses revealed significantly higher deterioration rates over time. Pre-treatment to LTFU effect sizes of the primary outcomes ranged from 0.54 to 1.59.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicate that the effects of psychological treatments might be stable over several years. Treatment gains for exposure as a stand-alone treatment seem to be of shorter duration than a general CBT intervention. Thus, psychological treatments might offer a promising and sustainable long-term perspective for patients with chronic back pain.

SIGNIFICANCE

The long-term stability of treatment effects is a highly neglected issue despite its inherent importance in the context of chronic pain. This study is the first to investigate treatment effects of cognitive behavioural therapy and in vivo exposure in chronic back pain sufferers up to 8 years after treatment. The findings contribute to an understanding of the sustainability of psychological cognitive behavioural therapy-based intervention effects.

The impact on physical performance, pain and psychological wellbeing of chronic low back pain patients during 12-weeks of equine- facilitated therapy intervention

Equine - Facilitated Therapy (EFT), an equine environment, and horses themselves can meet many physical and mental health needs beyond diagnostic categories. The horse's ability to produce a walk-like movement and the participant's ability to connect to non-judgemental living creatures, both of which can benefit participation and construct a positive self-image for chronic pain patients. The objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of EFT on perceived physical performance, level of pain, pain acceptance, depression and anxiety, and quality of life within a 12-week intervention for chronic low back pain (LBP) patients. Twenty-two LBP patients received EFT led by physical therapists as part of the public health services. A mixed method design combining quantitative and qualitative methods was employed to detect the outcome of the intervention. The data were collected via questionnaires, interviews, and patient data repositories. An interview was voluntary for participants and included questions of one's health, visits to the pain clinic during 6 months and an open-ended question about the intervention. The coding of the data was completed independently by two persons using thematizing. The welfare of the attending horses was taken into consideration in basic training and for the research setting. Statistical analysis and paired t-tests detected the changes during a 12-week intervention. The results suggest a significant increase in Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) levels of satisfaction with self-selected performances. The Raitasalo's version of Beck's Depression Inventory (RBDI) level of anxiety and Chronic Pain Acceptance Questionnaire (CPAQ) did not change, whereas a decline in the amount of perceived RBDI depression was found combined with increased levels of SF-36 Mental Change Scores and COPM satisfaction with performance. Only two of the 22 participants returned with reoccurring symptoms after 6 months to the pain clinic. The participant interviews revealed three important domains of experience during coding: physical-, psychological-, and social that link to the research question and suggest impact for the recovery from the human-animal interaction.

Which outcome variables are associated with psychological inflexibility/flexibility for chronic pain patients? A three level meta-analysis

The psychological flexibility model can be seen as a basis for an integrated and progressive psychological approach to chronic pain management. Some researchers suggest that psychological flexibility and inflexibility represent distinct processes and constructs. This meta-analysis is the first to provide a summary estimate of the overall effect size for the relationship between psychological (in)flexibility and common outcomes among chronic pain patients. The research protocol was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO, https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/), registration number CRD42021285705. Four databases were searched (PsycINFO; PubMed; Web of Science, CINAHL) along with reference lists. Thirty-six cross-sectional studies were included (7,779 participants). Meta-analyses (random effects model) indicated a significant medium negative association between psychological flexibility and pain intensity or functional impairment. The present study also indicated a significant small to medium association between psychological inflexibility and pain intensity, a nearly large association between psychological inflexibility and functional impairment as well as the quality of life, and a large association between psychological inflexibility and anxiety/depression. Due to the limited number of included studies, the relationship between risk behavior and psychological inflexibility may not be significant. Types of countries and instruments measuring psychological inflexibility may explain part of the heterogeneity. These findings may carry significant implications for chronic pain patients regarding the potential relationship between psychological inflexibility or flexibility and these outcomes. It may consequently form the basis for more robust testing of causal and manipulable relationships.

Systematic review registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, identifier: CRD42021285705.

The Role of Pain Inflexibility and Acceptance among Headache and Temporomandibular Disorders Patients

Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and headache are complex. This study aims to assess the association between TMD, headache, and psychological dimensions such as psychological inflexibility and pain acceptance. The sample consisted of 120 participants following a non-probabilistic convenience sampling strategy through a direct invitation to the patients attending our facilities and their relatives (n = 61 diagnosed with headache, n = 34 diagnosed with TMD-headache, n = 25 control group). Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC-TMD), International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD-3 beta version), Chronic Pain Acceptance Questionnaire (CPAQ-8), and Psychological Inflexibility in Pain Scale (PIPS) were used as assessment tools. One-way ANOVA, multiple regression analysis (MRA), and the Johnson-Neyman approach were run by IBM SPSS, version 27 (IBM^® Company, Chicago, IL, USA). The significance level was 0.05. One third of our sample presented with headache with TMD. Females were predominant. Males with headache, no systemic disease, less pain severity but higher frequency, living longer with the disease and having sensitive changes, showed higher pain acceptance. When headache occurs with TMD, women with higher education, no headache family history, less pain, and no motor changes showed higher pain acceptance. Patients with both conditions are more liable to have chronic pain and pain inflexibility. Pain intensity and willingness explain 50% of the psychological inflexibility in the headache group. In our sample, individuals suffering from both conditions show greater pain inflexibility, implicating more vivid suffering experiences, leading to altered daily decisions and actions. However, further studies are needed to highlight this possible association.

Psychological inflexibility and physical disability in older patients with chronic low back pain and knee pain

Aim: This study examined the associations between psychological inflexibility (PI) and physical disability (PD) among older patients with chronic low back and knee pain. Methods: Pain avoidance and cognitive fusion were assessed in outpatients as components of PI and PD, and sociodemographic and pain-related variables were used as covariates. Hierarchical multiple linear regression was used. The covariates were first entered, followed by PI. Results: Age and pain intensity had significant positive associations with PD. After adding PI, only pain avoidance was significantly and positively associated with PD. Conclusion: Focusing on pain avoidance may be effective for physical disability when acceptance and commitment therapy is administered to older patients with chronic low back and knee pain.

Chinese Version of the Psychological Inflexibility in Pain Scale for Cancer Patients Reporting Chronic Pain

Background

Cancer-related chronic pain is reported by many patients during treatment. There are very few Chinese tools for measuring psychological inflexibility caused by cancer pain, particularly with regard to psychological processes that might influence pain severity and function disorder during cancer treatment.

Objective

To culturally adapt the Psychological Inflexibility in Pain Scale (PIPS) to Chinese cancer patients experiencing chronic pain, including the determination of psychometric properties of the translated PIPS.

Methods

This cross-sectional study included 2 phases: (1) translation and cultural adaptation and (2) determination of psychometric properties of the translated PIPS. In total, 389 cancer patients with several types of cancer experiencing chronic pain enrolled from May to September 2018 at a tertiary cancer hospital in Yuelu District of Hunan Province, China.

Results

The Chinese PIPS version was semantically equivalent to the original. It had a 2-factor structure with satisfactory content validity (content validity index = 0.78–1.00), convergent and discriminant validity (composite reliability and average variance extracted at 0.41–0.89, P < .001), criterion-related validity (r = 0.54 and 0.41, P < .001), Cronbach’s α coefficients (α = .87), and test-retest reliability (0.9 ≤ r ≤ 0.98).

Conclusions

The Chinese PIPS version has been culturally adapted and has strong psychometric properties. The scale is a psychometrically sound assessment of psychological inflexibility that can be used for future studies of pain and pain management for cancer patients.

Implications for Practice

The study provides a vital tool for the psychological management of cancer patients with chronic pain.

[Measurement of pain-related experiential avoidance: analysis of the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II-Pain in patients with chronic pain]

Einleitung und Fragestellung

Erlebensvermeidung („experiential avoidance“) stellt einen zentralen störungsrelevanten Prozess im Rahmen der Akzeptanz- und Commitment-Therapie (ACT) dar. Zur Erfassung wurde der Acceptance and Action Questionnaire II (AAQ-II) entwickelt und in den Niederlanden für eine Patientengruppe mit chronischem Schmerz adaptiert und validiert (AAQ-II‑P). Hohe Werte im AAQ-II‑P bedeuten hohe schmerzbezogene Erlebensvermeidung. Ziel unserer Untersuchung ist die Erfassung von schmerzbezogener Erlebensvermeidung mit einer deutschen Version des AAQ-II‑P bei chronischen Schmerzpatienten und die Prüfung psychometrischer Merkmale des Messverfahrens.

Methodik

Der AAQ-II wurde mittels eines Vorwärts-Rückwärts-Verfahrens ins Deutsche übersetzt, für chronischen Schmerz adaptiert (AAQ-II‑P) und von 168 Patienten einer universitären Schmerzambulanz beantwortet. Zusätzlich wurden Daten zu schmerzbedingter Beeinträchtigung (CPG: Schweregrad nach von Korff) und Schmerzkatastrophisieren (PCS) erhoben sowie zu gesundheitsbezogener Lebensqualität (SF-12), Angst und Depressivität (HADS-D). Ebenfalls erfasst wurden allgemeine Persönlichkeitsmerkmale (BFI‑K) und habituelle Achtsamkeit (KIMS-S). Ausgewertet wurden Reliabilität und faktorielle Validität des AAQ-II‑P sowie seine Beziehung zu den anderen psychometrischen Verfahren.

Ergebnisse

Der AAQ-II‑P erzielte eine hohe interne Konsistenz mit α = 0,89 sowie eine eindimensionale Faktorenstruktur mit 61 % aufgeklärter Varianz. Geringe Korrelationen ergaben sich zu Persönlichkeitsdimensionen (maximal r = 0,44 zu Neurotizismus) und Achtsamkeit (maximal r = −0,43 zu Akzeptanz). Ein hoher Zusammenhang fand sich zu Schmerzkatastrophisieren (r = 0,75), Depression (r = 0,73) und Angst (r = 0,66). Die Beziehung zu Lebensqualität war am stärksten ausgeprägt auf der Psychischen Summenskala (r = −0,58).

Diskussion und Schlussfolgerung

Die deutsche Version des AAQ-II‑P hat eine gute Reliabilität und weist hinsichtlich Zuverlässigkeit und Faktorenstruktur hohe Vergleichbarkeit mit der Originalversion auf. Die Beziehungen zu den Skalen der psychometrischen Verfahren sind zumeist in erwarteter Richtung und Höhe. Patienten mit chronischem Schmerz und hoher schmerzbezogener Erlebensvermeidung tendieren deutlich zum Schmerzkatastrophisieren und zeichnen sich durch schlechtere psychische Lebensqualität aus. Dies spricht für die Relevanz des Konstrukts hinsichtlich therapeutischer Zielvariablen.

The Psychological Inflexibility in Pain Scale (PIPS): Validity and Reliability of the Japanese Version for Chronic Low Back Pain and Knee Pain

Purpose

The aim of this study was to translate the Psychological Inflexibility in Pain Scale Japanese version (PIPS-J) and inspect its validity and reliability in older patients with chronic low back pain and knee pain.

Materials and Methods

The PIPS was translated into Japanese by a bilingual linguistic expert and three researchers and administered to 120 outpatients with low back pain and knee pain (61.7% women, age 73.8±7.8 years). Construct validity and criterion validity were evaluated using confirmatory factor analysis and the correlations with the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II Japanese version (AAQ-II-J) and the Cognitive Fusion Questionnaire Japanese version (CFQ-J), respectively. Internal consistency using Cronbach’s alpha and test–retest reliability (n=43) were also examined.

Results

Of all, 78.3% had low back pain, 55.6% had knee pain, and 44.2% both. The confirmatory factor analysis reproduced the original PIPS structure with two factors and indicated good model fit (GFI = 0.915, CFI = 0.970, RMSEA = 0.060). All items’ standardized regression weights ranged from 0.35 to 0.80. Criterion validity was shown by correlations of r = 0.58 for PIPS-J pain avoidance with the AAQ-II-J, and r = 0.45 between PIPS-J cognitive fusion and the CFQ-J. Cronbach’s alpha for the PIPS-J total score was α=0.85 (pain avoidance: 0.87; cognitive fusion: 0.68). The test–retest correlation for all 12 items was r = 0.54 (pain avoidance: 0.48; cognitive fusion: 0.54).

Conclusion

Although a less relevant item was found on each of subscales, the PIPS-J appear to be fairly valid and reliable to evaluate psychological inflexibility in chronic pain among Japanese older adults.

Psychological Inflexibility as a Predictor of Sexual Functioning Among Women with Vulvovaginal Pain: A Prospective Investigation

Objective

Persistent vulvovaginal pain affects many women and often has adverse effects on sexual functioning. Psychological inflexibility related to pain is associated with distress and functional disability across different types of chronic pain conditions, but little is known about the role of psychological inflexibility in vulvovaginal pain. The present study examines psychological inflexibility related to pain as a predictor of sexual functioning over time among women with vulvovaginal pain.

Methods

Questionnaires including measures of psychological inflexibility, pain severity, and sexual functioning were administered to female university students at two points in time. One hundred thirty women with vulvovaginal pain responded to the questionnaire at baseline and at follow-up after 10 months. A multiple regression model was used to explore psychological inflexibility and pain severity as predictors of sexual functioning at follow-up.

Results

Higher levels of psychological inflexibility and more severe pain at baseline were associated with poorer sexual functioning 10 months later. In analysis adjusting for baseline levels of sexual functioning, psychological inflexibility was the only significant predictor of sexual functioning at follow-up.

Conclusions

The findings provide preliminary evidence that psychological inflexibility is associated with sexual adjustment over time among women with vulvovaginal pain and point to the relevance of further examinations of the psychological inflexibility model in the context of vulvovaginal pain.

Predictors and mediators of outcome in cognitive behavioral therapy for chronic pain: the contributions of psychological flexibility

There is now a consensus in the literature that future improvements in outcomes obtained from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for chronic pain will require research to identify patient and treatment variables that help explain outcomes. The first aim of this study was to assess whether pre-treatment scores on measures of psychological (in)flexibility, acceptance, committed action, cognitive (de)fusion, and values-based action predict outcomes in a multidisciplinary, multicomponent, group-based CBT program for adults with chronic pain. The second aim was to assess whether change scores on these same measures mediate outcomes in the treatment program. Participants were 232 people attending treatment for chronic pain. Of the psychological flexibility measures, only pre-treatment scores on the psychological inflexibility scale predicted outcomes; higher scores on this measure were associated with worse outcomes. However, change scores on each of the psychological flexibility measures separately mediated outcomes. The efficacy of CBT for chronic pain may be improved with a greater focus on methods that increase psychological flexibility.

Psychological Flexibility as a Resilience Factor in Individuals With Chronic Pain

Resilience factors have been suggested as key mechanisms in the relation between symptoms and disability among individuals with chronic pain. However, there is a need to better operationalize resilience and to empirically evaluate its role and function. The present study examined psychological flexibility as a resilience factor in relation to symptoms and functioning among 252 adults with chronic pain applying for participation in a digital ACT-based self-help treatment. Participants completed measures of symptoms (pain intensity, and anxiety), functioning (pain interference and depression), as well as the hypothesized resilience factor psychological flexibility (measured as avoidance, value obstruction, and value progress). As expected, symptoms, functioning and resilience factors were significantly associated. Hierarchical linear regression analyses showed that psychological flexibility significantly contributed to the prediction of pain interference and depression when adjusting for age, pain and anxiety. Also, participants with low levels of psychological flexibility were more likely to be on sick leave. Furthermore, a series of multiple mediation analyses showed that psychological flexibility had a significant indirect effect on the relationship between symptoms and functioning. Avoidance was consistently shown to contribute to the indirect effect. Results support previous findings and suggest the importance of psychological flexibility as a resilience factor among individuals with chronic pain and anxiety.

The Parent Psychological Flexibility Questionnaire (PPFQ): Item Reduction and Validation in a Clinical Sample of Swedish Parents of Children with Chronic Pain

In pediatric chronic pain, research indicates a positive relation between parental psychological flexibility (i.e., the parent’s willingness to experience distress related to the child’s pain in the service of valued behavior) and level of functioning in the child. This points to the utility of targeting parental psychological flexibility in pediatric chronic pain. The Parent Psychological Flexibility Questionnaire (PPFQ) is currently the only instrument developed for this purpose, and two previous studies have indicated its reliability and validity. The current study sought to validate the Swedish version of the 17-item PPFQ (PPFQ-17) in a sample of parents (n = 263) of children with chronic pain. Factor structure and internal reliability were evaluated by means of principal component analysis (PCA) and Cronbach’s alpha. Concurrent criterion validity was examined by hierarchical multiple regression analyses with parental anxiety and depression as outcomes. The PCA supported a three-factor solution with 10 items explaining 69.5% of the total variance. Cronbach’s alpha (0.86) indicated good internal consistency. The 10-item PPFQ (PPFQ-10) further explained a significant amount of variance in anxiety (29%), and depression (35.6%), confirming concurrent validity. In conclusion, results support the reliability and validity of the PPFQ-10, and suggest its usefulness in assessing psychological flexibility in parents of children with chronic pain.

Validation of a Chinese version of the Chronic Pain Acceptance Questionnaire (CAPQ) and CPAQ-8 in chronic pain patients

Acceptance of chronic pain has increasingly become a significant issue in the field of pain management. Many researchers have suggested that patients with better acceptance of pain are more likely to have better functioning both in physical and psychological status. In many countries, the Chronic Pain Acceptance Questionnaire (CPAQ) and CPAQ-8 have been validated and utilized frequently to measure the pain acceptance of patients with chronic pain. However, the CPAQ and CPAQ-8 yet have not been introduced and validated in Mainland China.In this study, we aimed to translate the English version of the CPAQ into simplified Chinese, make proper cross-cultural adaptations, and validate the psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the CPAQ and the CPAQ-8.The English version of the CPAQ was first linguistically translated and cross-culturally adapted to formulate a Chinese version. Then, we recruited 224 patients from a pain clinic and every participant was asked to finish a series of questionnaires. Finally, statistical analysis was performed to test the psychometric properties of the CPAQ and the CPAQ-8.Both confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and principal component analysis (PCA) confirmed a 2-factor structure for the CPAQ and the CPAQ-8. Nine out of 10 of the hypotheses were validated for construct validity. The overall intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) value for the CPAQ and CPAQ-8 were 0.92 and 0.89, respectively. In addition, the Cronbach α values for both the CPAQ and the CPAQ-8 showed excellent test-retest reliability.In conclusion, the original CPAQ was successfully developed into the Chinese version of the CPAQ and CPAQ-8 with excellent validity and reliability. The scores of the CPAQ or CPAQ-8 might be a strong predictor for the physical and psychological function of chronic pain patients. In addition, to improve the satisfaction of surgery patients, we recommend measuring patients' pain acceptance using the CPAQ or CPAQ-8 before and after the surgery. For patients with lower acceptance, psychological interventions may be more effective than treatment that simply reduces symptoms. Finally, we suggest that the Chinese version of the CPAQ and CPAQ-8 are appropriate for use in clinical settings or fundamental research in Mainland China.